Practical & TheorySailing School

RYA Courses

Urban Truant is a leading RYA training centre based at Swanwick Marina on the busy River Hamble. If you’re thinking about getting away from your desk and doing something more exciting instead, then we have the course for you! On the water, online or ashore, we never compromise on quality and our friendly knowledgeable skippers and instructors are with you during every step of your learning experience.

Whether you’re crew or need confidence-building training as a skipper, Urban Truant has the RYA course for you from the Start Motor Cruising to Yachtmaster™. Own boat tuition is also a popular way to help owners enjoy going further afield in their boat.

Powerboating offers an exciting way to enjoy the water, but it’s vital that drivers are able to control their vessel at all times. Urban Truant offers a range of courses to help ensure all types of powerboating, including RIBs and day fishing boats remains safe and fun.

Classroom-based courses are held at our well-resourced training centre at Swanwick Marina. Or, many students enjoy completing online RYA theory courses at their own pace through our exclusive learning portal. Combined theory and practical discounts are also available!

Become an RYA Instructor

The first step in teaching within the practical cruising scheme is to become qualified as an RYA Cruising Instructor, before moving up to the Yachtmaster™ Instructor qualification. Both qualifications can be taken in sail and motor cruisers, and the certificate will be endorsed accordingly. This is a five day (sail) or four day (motor) course with a second trainer joining on the final day as course moderator.

Create a personal Development Plan

Whether you’ve recently bought a new boat, or simply want to get more experience, a Personal Development Plan could be exactly what you need. Based on your requirements, our Chief Instructor will work with you to design a plan that focuses on the courses, miles or specific practice you need to consolidate your confidence and experience. A Personal Development Plan is all about you. Topics we have tailored for previous students include: maintenance and safety precautions, short-handed power and sail tactics, the specifics of your own yacht, and assisted passages.

Contact us today to build your own bespoke plan!

Seek a New Career with our MCA / RYA Yachtmaster™ Academy

Joining Urban Truant’s MCA / RYA Yachtmaster™ Academy could accelerate a career in the marine industry ... perhaps working on a superyacht or as an RYA Cruising Instructor. In a matter of weeks you will intensively learn, practice and truly understand every aspect of the syllabus, giving you the best possible preparation to gain your coveted Yachtmaster™ qualification.

Read on to find out more about our structured approach to learning, designed to enable you to quickly become proficient at handling and skippering yachts, motor cruisers or both.

Come and Be An Urban Truant!

Your boating experience should be nothing less than an Urban Truant experience. We want everyone to to maximise their ‘truant’ time by getting out on the water in style and comfort, learn online using our dedicated portal, or at our modern training facilities. So come and have fun, create memories, and learn a new skill with Urban Truant!

3:1 Instructor Ratio

With your progression as our priority, we have chosen to impose a maximum of 3 students for every course held on board one of our boats. This best practice approach to our service gives you with more time with the instructor and more time practicing your skills. It also enables you and your instructor to focus on any weaknesses ... and you'll have a cabin to yourself!

Dedicated RYA Instructor Support

We pride ourselves on using the very best instructors available. They're a friendly and experienced team who understand the importance of taking the time to ensure you fully understand what you're learning. Our shorebased tutors include Yachtmaster Instructors, and Urban Truant's Power Chief Instructor is also a trainer and assessor for the RNLI.

Modern Training Facilities

Our training facilities in Swanwick Marina opened in 2015, providing the perfect environment to study and learn. The room is well-equipped with full audio/visual, a large whiteboard, and plenty of space to spread our your charts. We'll also look after you during your time with us, as refreshments are included with every course, and decent coffee on tap!

Online Courses

Our exclusive 'SailingCourseOnline' portal offers an advanced way to learn at your own pace wherever you are, and works seamlessly across desktops, laptops and mobile devices. The content was specifically written to be read on a screen, with bite-sized modules, clean graphics and animations. Our team of shorebased instructors are on hand whenver you need them, and as they're additionally RYA Yachtmaster Instructors, they provide fast and knowledgeable assistance whatever your query.

Highfield 760 Patrol

The RIB boasts a throbbing 250hp Honda Engine and were new to Urban Truant in 2017. Once you have learnt to drive a RIB you can get access to Urban Truant's Premier RIB Club.

Top Quality Yachts

Urban Truant's 40 foot yachts are equipped and furnished with training in mind. Our yachts are well-maintained and no expense is spared for all of our gear and safety equipment. We also take your comfort seriously... You'll have space to savour downtime with your own cabin and 240v sockets when connected to shorepower. Marina fees are always included with an Urban Truant experience, and enjoy complimentary use of our Baltic lifejackets and Gill wet weather gear.

Additional support available on
request at our RYA training centre.

About Us

Urban Truant is one of the UK’s leading RYA sail and power training schools. We’re based at Swanwick Marina on the River Hamble, and with the entire Solent within easy reach, your RYA training course begins the minute you step on board one of our well-equipped modern boats or in our comfortable training room equipped with the latest IT and learning aids. This includes invigilated exams for the online Short-Range Certificate.

We also offer online navigation courses delivered on our exclusive learning platform. Learn at your own pace … at home, on your commute … and our team of experienced instructors is ready to answer your questions, so help is never far away.

From learning to sail a yacht to driving a motor cruiser ... from achieving your Day Skipper to gaining your radio qualification, and with a 7 day money back guarantee and 15% discounts on multiple courses, how do you want to be an Urban Truant?

Testimonials

Here is just some of the feedback we’ve had from our customers.

"We already have a RIB but it wasn't until I nearly damaged it trying to park in windy conditions that I knew I needed some proper training! Our instructor was really patient and took us through loads of scenarios - I feel so much more confident and can't wait to take out my RIB again!"

Alan - Own Boat Tuition

"My RYA Cruising Instructor “Instruction and Assessment” week with Urban Truant not only provided me with some key skills and tools to go out and be an Instructor but also gave me more confidence in the delivery of the various briefings and demonstrations as there was lots of excellent guidance and support provided during the week.

The week was nearly all “boat based” so there were lots of opportunity to practice the techniques hands-on and the environment was further enhanced with individual cabins and a very well provisioned galley."

Dale - RYA Cruising Instructor

"I just wanted to thank you for a brilliant week on the water in by far the largest boat I have ever sailed!"

Elizabeth - RYA Online Theory & Day Skipper Practical

"Just a quick note to say thanks for all your support during my course. I would recommend it to any and everyone as the best and only way to gain the knowledge prior to safely getting on the water"

Ian -RYA Online Theory Day Skipper

"Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to become an Urban Truant. I knew my week under sail with you would stand out from the others, and that’s why I dropped everything and arrived in glorious sunshine for my adventure.

I couldn’t pick a highlight because everything exceeded my expectations. The boat lived up to her name, the trip was full of interest and my crewmates added to a very enjoyable experience.

I hope to put my new-found sea legs and all the knowledge I gained from you towards an interesting future.

Thank you for your patience, friendliness, support and expert guidance, which went above and beyond. I will always remember my first voyage on Inspire, it will be a treasured memory – until the next time."

Marie - RYA Competent Crew

"Thanks for a great course last week. We did have some excellent sailing and great opportunity to put training and instructing into practice.

I was very pleased choosing Urban Truant in so many ways. Firstly, as I mentioned, I found the website attractive and easy to use when booking the course and found no problems with the on-line teaching and test you sent me. The modern office and classroom compliment well the image you set out in the website. The boat was in good order and clean when I boarded and ,despite cold weather, we were able to stay warm and dry all week thanks to the heaters on board. The quality and quantity of food was very good and easy to prepare and, the nice touch of adding some beer and a bottle of wine, went down very well.

The quality of teaching from Richard goes without saying. His approach and support from our constant questioning never distracted him from the job in hand. His level of experience and instructing ability was so evident and gave us a good idea of what's required, often with a bit of a step change highlighting the standard required. He also have that nice balance of not just being a good instructor but someone who, because of his experience, is an interesting guy to talk to over a beer."

Terry - RYA Online Theory and Competent Crew & Day Skipper

"The Best of the schools in the hamble area and the theory website was really good too!"

Adam S - RYA Day Skipper

"Very well organised with excellent standards of tuition and food!"

Michael H - RYA Day skipper

"Brilliant, fast, safe, fun, highly recommended."

Adam P - RYA Advanced Powerboat Course

"Ive had the best two days training ever. Would recommend to anyone."

Bryan S - RYA Advanced Powerboat Course

"An amazing 2 days, enjoyed every minute of it. An absolute must if you’re interested in powerboating."

Chris C - RYA Advanced Powerboat Course

"Do It Now!"

Andrew C - RYA Day Skipper

"Excellent instructor, very knowledgeable and friendly. Good course content and very useful skills learnt.
Also in a great location."

Peter G - RYA Powerboat Level 2

"A very well taught course. A must prior to taking a boat out on your own."

Paul D - RYA Powerboat Level 2

"Urban Truant provide great instructors who give you the tuition you need to be a confident sailor"

Sarah M - RYA Competent Crew

"Thanks again for the course, everything has been excellent, Richard as an instructor, the yacht sails beautifully, the food ... everything really. I am sure we'll get more done in the near future; Yacht Master is next ! plus I have a few friends I'll be really happy to send your way."

Sailing with urban truant is a no brainer – don’t even think you are getting a better deal elsewhere – you are not!"

Theo I - RYA Coastal Skipper

"As predominantly inland water/coastal sailors with 35+ years experience we found our few days with Rich to be an extremely helpful and enjoyable experience. We were impressed with the way in which he quickly assessed our individual needs and concerns and tailored an appropriate approach.
We received useful reminders on passage planning, navigation generally and boat safety – all offered in an intelligent and understandable way.
The boat was well prepared and comfortable to sail even with five of us on board. We all enjoyed the food, with our individual needs being well met.
We enjoyed helming the boat and left our few days thinking that we should consider returning for further updates."

Paul and Caroline W- Bespoke skills refresher

"I found it amazing. The on-line interaction makes it feel live and it is very easy to learn."

Nick - RYA SRC/VHF course

"We had a really fantastic weekend with you and are very grateful! You managed to quickly ascertain our needs and the teaching was all very relevant and excellent! A great refresher and update.
As you know, I carefully researched who we should go with for our weekend and we were not disappointed Everyone in the Urban Truant team who saw or spoke to us was very helpful and you stood out to me - way ahead of other companies at the Boat Show!

The boat was great and food excellent.
We had a fab weekend and will be back for more!!"

Karen - Bespoke Skills refresher

"We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Vince is already planning when he can do his coastal skipper training. I'll be a bit out of commission for the next while, but will catch up once little one is a born and a bit bigger.
We're very happy we learned about Urban Truant at the London Boat Show.
So, thank you!"

Catherine - RYA Day Skipper

"I was very impressed with Urban Truant, both the course and the service."

Martin - RYA Coastal Skipper

"Just wanted to express sincere thanks for a fabulous course. 5* to Richard and Kieran. "

John - Milebuilder

"Just wanted to say how brilliant Will was over the last week. He is a great instructor. Calm and precise with great visual techniques to help you understand the processes you are learning. He is a natural teacher. Thanks for pairing us with him, it really work well, and he was also great company in the evenings!"

Sam S - RYA Coastal Skipper

"Can I just give a massive thank you to Urban Truant for a terrific start to sailing, and my instructor Richard. Also my shipmates Ian & Quintis. With all their help I have managed to achieve far more than I thought I could. 10 modules of the fourteen completed and signed off in one weekend!
I can only say I am very impressed with the level of tuition and help that as a complete novice i have received from your company and can't wait to continue with my course."

David - RYA Day Skipper

"Many thanks for giving us such a great week last week. We all came away having learnt so much and we were very appreciative of your patience and felt that you totally “got us” and you style and approach was perfect – making it all great fun. Enjoy your summer and may be catch up on future courses..."

Simon - RYA Day Skipper

"This is just a quick email to say thankyou to you and your team.

For your records please record my email as one instigated by me and not in response to any feedback requirements.

I would just like to say thank you for being such a first class teacher these past two weekends. Your approach was fast enough to cover the material to the depth needed and yet at a pace that allowed us all to ask questions and to feel confident about our understanding. Your approach was absolutely first class, Friendly, interactive, relaxed and fun but also professional. Top marks to you, our tutor. Thankyou."

Benedict C - RYA Day Skipper

"Excellent course, thank you. Richard was a brilliant instructor - interesting, patient, kind and funny, The course was so good and covered all the subject areas (and more!), The practical was amazingly valuable."

Jenny and Gary - RYA Competent Crew

"Many thanks for all assistance in trying to help with my predicament, it was refreshing to receive some helpful input after being let down at such short notice."

Rik F - RYA Day Skipper

"I have come back to my studies with renewed enthusiasm having spent 3 days with Rich.

It all makes so much more sense and I understand the need for the detailed calculations in reality now- having been hit by a freak squal that reduced visibility and increased wind speed considerably, to say nothing of the hail and rain!

I wondered why people bothered passage planning in such detail- I now know!
Thanks and see you soon for part 2!"

Kim - RYA Day Skipper

"My Cruising Instructor “Instruction and Assessment” week with Urban Truant not only provided me with some key skills and tools to go out and be an Instructor but also gave me more confidence in the delivery of the various briefings and demonstrations as there was lots of excellent guidance and support provided during the week. The week was nearly all “boat based” so there were lots of opportunity to practice the techniques hands-on and the environment was further enhanced with individual cabins and a very well provisioned galley."

Dale - RYA Cruising Instructor

"I hit the ground running after the July Day Skipper practical course and seem to have been reeling from one event to another ever since.
I just wanted to thank you for a brilliant week on the water in by far the largest boat I have ever sailed!
The practical course made sense of many aspects of the theory."

Liz W - RYA Day Skipper

"I wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you so much for a great week aboard Inspire. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous about spending the best part of week on board a boat with three people I'd never met, as well as being a bit nervous about some of the tasks as crew on a boat - especially hopping off with the lines!

However, Rich did a great job at putting everyone at ease and creating an atmosphere which made the learning interesting and fun. I feel like a learnt a huge amount and it was beneficial to be on the course with the Day Skipper pupils as I was able to watch and learn some of what they were required to do. It was also very good of Urban Truant to arrange for the Americas Cup events to coincide with our course - it was fantastic to see the boats at such close quarters!

I finally sussed the clove hitch and the fear of hopping off with the lines has gone. I came on the course so that I would feel confident that I knew what to do from my own knowledge rather than being asked to do a task. This week has without a doubt achieved that aim and has been a good laugh into the bargain.

I've already recommended Urban Truant to two of my colleagues at work and would happily do so to anyone looking for a very high quality training, with a level of comfort (own cabin, great food) that you wouldn't normally have.